Thursday marks the 8th anniversary of the magnitude-8 Wenchuan earthquake in southwest China’s Sichuan Province, one of the worst history in China.

CCTV’S Tao Yuan reports.

China marks 8th anniversary of massive Wenchuan earthquake

China marks 8th anniversary of massive Wenchuan earthquake

Thursday marks the 8th anniversary of the magnitude-8 Wenchuan earthquake in southwest China’s Sichuan Province, one of the worst history in China. CCTV's Tao Yuan reports.

The Human Cost

The quake was the strongest to hit China since 1950. At least 87,000 people were killed or declared missing in the disaster.

The earthquake left more people homeless than any other quake in recorded history in China, with at least 4.8 million people requiring shelter after their homes were destroyed.

Photo from Xinhua

However, the impact of the Sichuan quake was not only felt through the death toll and homelessness, it also resulted in significant economic losses.

Throughout the eight years, Wenchuan has undergone tremendous reconstruction, costing about 885 billion yuan ($137 billion).

Rebuilding After The Tragedy

The earthquake has also destroyed highways and major transportation links in the area.

After eight years, construction has just been completed on all the tunnels of Highway S-303 in Wenchuan County.

Work is also nearing completion on a 45-kilometer (27.96 miles) highway which will connect Yingxiu town, the epicenter of the quake, to Wolong town, home to a national nature reserve.

It is a major part of a reconstruction project, financially supported by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. The highway is scheduled for completion by the end of September.

Photo from Xinhua

Thursday marks 8th anniversary of massive Wenchuan earthquake, and also is China’s 8th annual National Disaster Prevention and Reduction Day. People mourn victims in Wenchuan earthquake in 2008 on Twitter.Wenchuan